Signed/unsigned comparisons

Question

I\'m trying to understand why the following code doesn\'t issue a warning at the indicated place.

//from limits.h
#define UINT_MAX 0xffffffff /* maximum unsi         


        

Answer 1

When comparing signed with unsigned, the compiler converts the signed value to unsigned. For equality, this doesn't matter, -1 == (unsigned) -1. For other comparisons it matters, e.g. the following is true: -1 > 2U.

EDIT: References:

5/9: (Expressions)

Many binary operators that expect operands of arithmetic or enumeration type cause conversions and yield result types in a similar way. The purpose is to yield a common type, which is also the type of the result. This pattern is called the usual arithmetic conversions, which are defined as follows:

• If either operand is of type long double, the other shall be converted to long double.

• Otherwise, if either operand is double, the other shall be converted to double.

• Otherwise, if either operand is float, the other shall be converted to float.

• Otherwise, the integral promotions (4.5) shall be performed on both operands.54)

• Then, if either operand is unsigned long the other shall be converted to unsigned long.

• Otherwise, if one operand is a long int and the other unsigned int, then if a long int can represent all the values of an unsigned int, the unsigned int shall be converted to a long int; otherwise both operands shall be converted to unsigned long int.

• Otherwise, if either operand is long, the other shall be converted to long.

• Otherwise, if either operand is unsigned, the other shall be converted to unsigned.

4.7/2: (Integral conversions)

If the destination type is unsigned, the resulting value is the least unsigned integer congruent to the source integer (modulo 2ⁿ where n is the number of bits used to represent the unsigned type). [Note: In a two’s complement representation, this conversion is conceptual and there is no change in the bit pattern (if there is no truncation). ]

EDIT2: MSVC warning levels

What is warned about on the different warning levels of MSVC is, of course, choices made by the developers. As I see it, their choices in relation to signed/unsigned equality vs greater/less comparisons make sense, this is entirely subjective of course:

-1 == -1 means the same as -1 == (unsigned) -1 - I find that an intuitive result.

-1 < 2 does not mean the same as -1 < (unsigned) 2 - This is less intuitive at first glance, and IMO deserves an "earlier" warning.